Struggling with Persistent Health Issues and Insufficient Care
Greetings, I am a male, standing at 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds, currently residing in California. Over the past few weeks, my health has deteriorated significantly, rendering me unable to work for nearly three weeks now. I have been plagued by severe headaches and debilitating dizziness, alongside a constant burning sensation in my lungs that has persisted since December 2025. Despite my D-Dimer levels reading at 0.46, the medical staff have repeatedly sent me home, asserting that there is nothing wrong with me. I am at my wit's end—having visited three different emergency rooms—and every day seems to bring worsening symptoms, including difficulty breathing when lying down and an incessant burning feeling throughout my body. The headaches that follow a night's sleep are so intense that they leave me terrified of going to bed, fearing it may lead to being taken seriously only when it’s too late. What steps can I take to ensure that the emergency room staff recognizes the severity of my pain? Additionally, it's important to mention that I have a background of nitrous oxide abuse which began in early 2025. I have endured months of suffering since I quit in December 2025. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Answers (1)
2/13/2026, 1:40:43 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really sorry to hear about your ongoing health struggles and the frustration you've experienced in seeking care. It’s crucial that you feel heard and validated during this time, as your symptoms sound quite distressing.
Main Points:
- You are experiencing significant symptoms that are affecting your daily life.
- There is a need for clear communication with healthcare providers to ensure your concerns are taken seriously.
Explanation:
The combination of severe headaches, dizziness, burning sensations in your lungs, and difficulty breathing should not be ignored. Your background of nitrous oxide use may also have contributed to these symptoms, but it's important for healthcare professionals to examine the full picture of your health.
It's understandable that repeated visits to emergency rooms can be disheartening, especially when you feel your concerns aren't being addressed. Tracking your symptoms and communicating effectively can help emphasize the seriousness of what you’re experiencing.
Next Steps:
-
Document Symptoms:
- Keep a detailed journal of your symptoms. Include when they occur, their intensity (on a scale of 1-10), and what alleviates or worsens them. This could provide clear evidence of the severity of your condition to the medical staff.
-
Focus on Key Symptoms:
- When speaking to healthcare providers, clearly highlight the most debilitating symptoms (e.g., headaches, difficulty breathing) and how they've impacted your ability to function daily. Use specific examples, such as difficulty working or performing daily tasks.
-
Seek a Primary Care Physician (PCP):
- If possible, establish a relationship with a primary care physician who can coordinate your care and refer you to specialists if necessary. This continuity can help convey the ongoing nature of your symptoms.
-
Consider Urgent Care Settings:
- If you feel your needs aren’t being met in the emergency room, try visiting an urgent care facility or outpatient clinic where you're more likely to receive individualized attention and possibly have more time to explain your issues.
-
Advocate for Yourself:
- Don't hesitate to ask questions about your care, express your concerns firmly, and seek second opinions if necessary. You have the right to comprehensive evaluation, especially with persistent symptoms.
-
Avoid Triggers:
- Avoid known irritants like smoke or allergens, and consider keeping your environment as stress-free as possible, which may reduce overall symptom exacerbation.
-
Consider Mental Health Support:
- Dealing with chronic and debilitating conditions can be mentally exhausting. Consider talking to a mental health professional who can help you deal with the stress and fear associated with your health issues.
It’s essential to take your symptoms seriously, and with a structured approach in communicating them to healthcare professionals, you may have a better chance of being recognized and treated appropriately. Please let me know if you have any further questions or need additional guidance.
Related Questions
Seeking Insight on Brain-Related Issues
I’m uncertain if this subreddit is the appropriate place for my concern. If there’s a more suitable subreddit for this topic, I would be grateful for your recommendations! About seven years ago, I (25M) had an experience where I took a tab, and halfway through the night, my thoughts began racing uncontrollably. It felt as though something snapped in the lower back of my head, akin to a gear malfunctioning and crashing. Throughout the night, I had a persistent sensation of having something broken. The next morning brought an unsettling ache and pressure in the upper left side of my brain, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of fatigue. I hoped this sensation would dissipate quickly, but it lingered. In the following months, I began experiencing episodes of psychosis that made me feel as though I was on the verge of detaching from reality, and I felt an instinctive need to cling to my sanity. Fast forward to the end of 2020, about a year and a half later, I awoke one day to find a significant reduction in both the pain and the psychosis; I would estimate that I felt roughly 90% improved. The pressure and psychotic episodes subsided greatly, allowing me to regain a sense of normalcy. Over the last six years, my condition has continued to improve. However, I have observed that when I don’t get adequate sleep or am suddenly awakened, the pressure and discomfort return to the upper left side of my brain. Thankfully, the psychosis has not returned. Since 2021, following the majority of my symptoms' disappearance, I've noticed a distinct connection between my sleep quality and the pressure I experience. In 2022, I underwent a CT scan, which revealed no apparent issues, according to the radiologist's report. However, these symptoms persist. Through my own research, I suspect my serotonin receptors may be involved, but I’m open to corrections. Additionally, I've noticed my left eye feels slightly more unfocused than my right, though I’m unsure if this relates to the other symptoms. My sleep quality has also not been optimal over the last five years, despite trying remedies like magnesium and mouth tape. Once again, I apologize if this isn't the right platform for my inquiry. If anyone has insights into why I’m experiencing these issues, I would greatly appreciate any advice or guidance on potential solutions. Thank you!
Accidental Mushroom Incident: Urgent Help Needed
Greetings, I’m reaching out for advice regarding a concerning situation my sister encountered. She is 27 years old, stands at 5’6”, and unfortunately, she mistakenly placed magic mushrooms in her eyes without realizing her error until about five minutes had passed. After the alarming discovery, she immediately rinsed her eyes with water. Currently, they appear slightly red and swollen. While the discomfort isn’t overwhelming, she does experience a degree of pain. I’m worried about the possibility of her developing a corneal infection. How serious is her condition, and when should we consider seeking professional medical help? I’m quite anxious about this situation and would greatly appreciate any guidance.
Exploring the Link between Calcific Tendinitis of the Hip and Optic Nerve Drusen
A 47-year-old female recently experienced a diagnosis that has piqued her curiosity regarding potential connections between two uncommon health conditions. She is currently taking a range of supplements, including bariatric vitamins, calcium, and iron, and is prescribed Qulipta for migraine management, alongside Mounjaro. Her medical background includes undergoing a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass approximately five years prior. This individual was diagnosed with calcific tendinitis affecting the right gluteus tendon insertion. Her physician noted the unusual occurrence of this condition in the hip, stating that it is generally more prevalent in the shoulder region. In addition to this, she is under annual observation for optic nerve drusen, a condition characterized by calcium deposits in the optic nerve, monitored by her ophthalmologist. Given that both conditions involve the presence of calcium deposits, she wonders if there could be any underlying relationship between the two. The rarity of optic nerve drusen has been highlighted during her appointments, as her ophthalmologist frequently invites students to observe her case. The recent diagnosis of calcific tendinitis raises questions in her mind: does her body have a propensity to form calcium deposits in unusual locations, or is this merely a coincidence?
Concerns About Our Emergency Room Experience
Perhaps I should be ridiculed for my questions, but I recently accompanied a friend to the emergency room after she sustained a significant impact to the back of her head. Following the injury, she experienced immediate drainage from her nose, and over the subsequent four days, her symptoms worsened. She developed a persistent headache, sensitivity to light, ongoing nasal drainage, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and even had one episode of vomiting, which was then accompanied by drainage from her right ear. Although she didn’t lose consciousness at the time of the injury, she has not exhibited any changes in her mental alertness. We felt it prudent to visit the ER, concerned about the possibility of a cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak or another related issue. During our visit, the emergency room physician seemed to react dismissively to each of her symptoms, responding with smirks and laughter. He insisted that all her symptoms were typical, asserting that it was impossible for her to have struck her head hard enough to fracture her skull. We clarified that we were not suggesting a skull fracture, but rather that her head trauma could potentially have caused a CSF leak. The doctor scoffed once more, stating that if she had a CSF leak lasting four days, she would likely be in excruciating pain or even dead, labeling a CT scan as unnecessary. This raises some questions for us: Is it possible for someone to have a mild CSF leak and still function without it leading to immediate death? What is the required force of impact to result in such a leak? And when should a CT scan be considered if her combination of symptoms doesn’t prompt one? For context, my friend is a 23-year-old female, standing 5'3" and weighing 160 pounds. She is white and takes Trazodone every night; she does not smoke or use other recreational drugs.
Concerns Regarding a Two-Year-Old's Ongoing Treatment
I am in a difficult situation with my two-year-old son who weighs 26 pounds. We are currently on the fourth day of a seven-day course of amoxicillin/clavulanate, and he is experiencing severe diarrhea. Initially, he was diagnosed with a particularly bad case of viral pneumonia, which was misidentified as croup in two separate ER visits. I find myself questioning whether to continue the treatment. I have consulted with his pediatrician who suggested I reach out to the pharmacist for further guidance. The pharmacist recommended reducing the dosage to 4ml every eight hours. My worry about developing antibiotic resistance is compounded by the fact that he recently vomited the last dose he received, along with all the liquid. Unfortunately, tracking his urine output has become challenging due to the frequent diarrhea episodes—he likely has around 11 bowel movements a day. Although he has been evaluated in the emergency room and I've been informed that this is a common side effect of the antibiotic, I'm still seeking external opinions. I'm unsure if I'm making the best choices for his health at this moment. Additionally, he has been previously diagnosed with toddler's diarrhea, but his condition has improved under the care of his doctor, despite him always having a sensitive gastrointestinal system. After traversing these challenges over recent weeks, I feel lost and uncertain about the right path forward for my son.